biological approach (2)

What is the main assumption of the biological approach?

All behaviour and experiences in terms of biological processes

What is assumption 1 of the biological approach?

The genetic basis of behaviour: genotype, phenotype and evolution

What is our phenotype influenced by? (2)

Genes and environment

What does MZ and DZ twins stand for?

MZ- monozygotic (identical)

DZ- dizygotic (non identical)

What is a concordance rate?

A term used in statistics to describe the rate if probability that 2 people with shared genes will develop the same disease/behaviour

What does a high concordance rate mean?

The behaviour is more likely to have been inherited

What are the 3 examples under studying genes through MZ and DZ twins?

• offending behaviour (crime)

• Schizophrenia

• OCD and genetics

How does offending behaviour studies in twins prove the theory of the biological approach through twin studies?

Probed that MZ twins had a higher concordat rate for crime (males= 35% females= 21%)

DZ twins (males= 13% females= 8%)

How does schizophrenia in twins prove the theory of the biological approach through twin studies?

Gottesman (1991) conducted a large scale family study and found much higher concordance rates in MZ twins (48% in comparison to DZ twins (17%)

How does OCD and genetics in twins prove the theory of the biological approach through twin studies?

Inheritance if a specific ‘candidate gene’ that make people Vulnerable to OCD. Two candidate genes linked to OCD are called:

• COMT gene- regulates the production of dopamine

• SERT gene- linked to lowered production and movement of serotonin

  A simple link between genes and a condition like OCD is unlikely to

  Genetic predisposition + triggered event= OCD

  So, it is possible to carry SERT and COMT genes but never encounter the disorder

What are the 3 examples of evolution and behaviour in assumption 1?

• choice of romantic partner

• Fight or flight response

• OCD (sometimes mental illnesses can be beneficial to survival- fear of germs)

What is assumption 2 of the biological approach?

Influence of biological structures (brain) and neuro chemistry on behaviour

What are the three examples of assumption 2 of the influence of the brain and neurochemistry on behaviour?

• neural explication of OCD- neuroanatomy, impaired functioning within parts of brain may explain OCD

• The amygdala- controls emotions

• Neural explication of schizophrenia- lower activation levels in superior temporal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus can be linked to auditory hallucinations

What are the 3 examples under assumption 2 of neurochemistry?

• dopamine hypothesis and schizophrenia- unusually high levels of dopamine associated with schizophrenia

• Serotonin and OCD- low levels of serotonin linked to OCD

• Serotonin and crime- low levels of serotonin may cause impulse aggression

What is the first advantage of the biological approach?

Application to the treatment of illnesses (such as OCD) with drug therapy. The study of neuro chemistry has increased our understanding of why people have illnesses such as OCD. Low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin are thought to be associated with OCD so SSRI is a drug therapy that aims to increase the levels of serotonin and reduce symptoms of the disorder. This matters because it demonstrates the utility of the biological approach in helping improve the lives of those with disorders such as OCD.

What is the second advantage of the biological approach?

There is considerate evidence that certain behaviours can be explained by biology. Evidence from Twin studies provide support for the genetic explanation of schizophrenia. For example Gottesman 1991 conducted a large scale family study and found much higher concordance rate in MZ twins (48%) compared to DZ twins (17%). This matters because it highlights how behaviour can be explained in terms of biology (validates the theory)

what is one criticism of the biological approach?

Overlook other factors, for example, the behaviourist approach. The biological approach assumes all our behaviour is as a result of our biological processes so reduces behaviour just down to the biological approach. However, behaviour psychologists would argue some behaviour comes from learning through classical/operant conditioning. This matter matters because it shows that the biological approach can’t offer a complete explanation of human behaviours, Other factors do need to be considered as well.